UB Department of Theatre and Dance to Present Jane Austen's Masterpiece "Pride and Prejudice"

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Department of Theatre and Dance at the University at Buffalo will present Helen Jerome's adaptation of Jane Austen's masterpiece "Pride and Prejudice" April 16-20 in the Drama Theatre in the Center for the Arts on the UB North (Amherst) Campus.

Performances will be held at 8 p.m. on April 16-18 and 2 p.m. April 19-20.

"Pride and Prejudice" is a romantic comedy of manners that deals with the universal theme of young lovers attempting to unite in marriage. Indeed, the pursuit of a successful marriage is the dominating theme of the novel and this adaptation, which drives the action and comedy of situation.

The play's title itself gives a clear indication of some of the many obstacles to a happy union, as the main characters, Elizabeth and Darcy, along with many of the other characters in this sparkling and witty play, suffer from the sins of both pride and prejudice. The battle of the sexes ranges from calculated flirting to open warfare. Set in Regency England, Austen uses humor, satire and irony to question the notion of marriage as a means to social or financial advancement. The play anticipates the feminist movement with a vision of society in which women do not need to settle for less, and where self esteem and generosity of spirit replace pragmatism with a love that is genuinely romantic. Austen paints delightful and fully rounded characters, and her witty dialogue and gentle irony make for a very entertaining and memorable play.

Vincent O'Neill, director of "Pride and Prejudice," is a former member of Ireland's national theatre company the Abbey Theatre, and a graduate of University College Dublin and of Trinity College. He has been a faculty member of the Department of Theatre and Dance since 1990, and he is currently artistic director of the Irish Classical Theatre Company.

This production will feature the talents of more than 20 undergraduates in the department and a gifted team of student designers and stage management.

Tickets are $16 general admission, and $8 for students and seniors. Tickets are available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Center for the Arts Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations, including ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets, call 852-5000; in Canada, call 1-416-870-8000. For group sales, call 645-6771. For more information, call 645-ARTS. Students (of any school) must present valid student ID at the box office to receive discount.